A glance up at the heavens in Portugal may be a little more inviting than it is in Scotland, but as far as Paulo Bernardo is concerned, the sky is the limit for Celtic this season. The Portuguese midfielder made last year’s loan deal from Benfica a permanent one when he signed a five-year deal with the Hoops and he aims for the team as a unit, and him personally as a player, to carry on from where they left off last term. For the team that means aiming to better last season’s league and Scottish Cup Double, while for the player, the dying minutes of last term saw his shot lead to the goal which delivered more silverware on the final day of the campaign. Speaking at Celtic Park today, the 22-year-old said: “The sky is the limit. We are improving, last year we were improving all season, so it will be a continued work for this year, and we are focused this year. ‘I’m delighted to be here again. We had a fantastic season last year and it’s so nice to be back. I want us to be champions again.’ “We have three trophies to win domestically, so I’m looking forward to that and to have a good season in Europe too.” And on a personal level, he is delighted that he is being coached by Brendan Rodgers again this season. Bernardo said: “I like a lot to work with the manager. I’m really happy with him and the whole staff. “Last season they helped me a lot to develop my game, and to be better every day.”He knows, though, that he won’t just walk into a midfield that is already bursting with talent, but he is well up for the challenge ahead. He said: “I need to work for that, and it is better that way, because I feel a lot more motivated to be on the pitch that way to win my place, so I think that’s good for me. “I want this season to be a little bit better for me than last year. Last year was really good too, but I need to improve, and I know that will mean a better season for me. “I always talked about coming back to Celtic, so it was easy for me because I loved the season last year, and the club treated me really well, so it’s a pleasure for me to be back. “Last year I didn’t feel a lot of difficulties because my team-mates welcomed me really well, the staff as well and the club, too, so there was no problem with that. “The club, the fans – the away games, the home games – when you’re on the pitch you feel like home, and the club is huge here in Scotland and around the world. So I had this opportunity and I took it.“FixturesHibernian Vs. Celtic – Sun, Aug 11th 2024, 12:30
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